Monday, 9 June 2014

Canal Cuttings (22)

This
is just one of a series of around fifty old newspaper articles that I
have been reading. I have been researching from old newspapers and
magazines in the last 200 years or so of the inland
waterways. With particular interest in the issues of the day that were
effecting the canals. The
most active periods for evaluation and change, has always been just
prior,
during and shortly after the two world wars. It should be remembered
that between the wars the ownership of some of the canals changed hands
as the railway companies bought up the waterways to get reduce
competition. What is not clear is the effect this early form of asset
stripping had on the viability of the inland waterways. Its good to take
a look back at what people were saying and
doing in the past. Most surprising of all are some of the problems that
beset
the canals back then - are still prevalent today. Reading old newspapers
can throw
up some rather interesting stories. Here is what we would call today a
public interest story.

Caveat:
Some of the articles are difficult to read and even using modern
electronic scanning and text conversion methods. The odd punctuation,
word or character may have been transcribed in error.

AMUSING ESCAPADE OF A TYLDESLEY PUBLICAN.Tyldesley Journal

20th May 1876

The vagaries of a licensed victualler at Tyldesley on Wednesday, who
was suddenly seized with a fit of benevolence, created a good deal of
astonishment, and not less amusement. It appears that some where about
four o'clock on the said morning, the well-known landlord jauntily
aroused from their slumbers a considerable number of his neighbours and
friends with the pleasurable announcement that he purposed driving to
Southport, and those of them who were desirous of joining in the picnic
must be in readiness at a certain hour. As three conveyances were
specified, and the invitation being issued in appearance coherently and
with sincerity, there was there was no evidence beyond the wild
appearance of his eyes, which was not generally noticed, of a totally
disordered course of action, or of any delusions arising from delirium tremens.
Companions having been sought and procured, the landlord next turned
his attention to decorative objects. He had an eye to the beautiful,
which manifested itself in an extraordinary display of rosettes,
ribbons, and other favours, with which he indiscriminately bedecked
himself and two horses. in order to secure an unlimited supply of these,
he visited the shop of the nearest saddler, whose stock he not only
bought up but required still more, a demand which necessitated a flying
visit to Manchester.

At ten o'clock in the morning, after several hours
of hasty preparation, the turnouts appeared in Elliott-street, and they
had a very imposing and gaudy appearance. As might have been expected, a
great crowd of spectators soon gathered, among them being certain
individuals in holiday attire who had been bidden to be in readiness
punctually at the appointed hour. These latter soon began to realise the
state of affairs, and did not relish the jeers of unsympathetic
neighbours who regarded their appearance with unspeakable delight as the
perpetration of a good joke. However of these there were not a few,
twelve of the fourteen required for the drive of thirty miles to
Southport having responded to the invitation. The preparations proceeded
rapidly, the good-natured landlord superintending them with scrupulous
care. In quick succession a case of champagne, a case of sherry, three
dozen bottles of Bass's bitter, and other drinkables were deposited in
the phaeton, but not even this temptation was sufficient to induce his
neighbours to brave the ridicule and become seated for the journey.

Undaunted by the fears and frowns of a sensible wife the landlord
insisted on carrying out his resolution, and was with difficulty
dissuaded from taking a loaded rifle with which he purposed shooting
gulls on the sea shore. At length accompanied by his two sons, one of
whom drove the second trap, he took his departure amid hearty cheering,
the first halting place being Wigan. Here he went to a well known
brewery, causing considerable hilarity, being evidently delighted to be
the wearer of rosettes and ribbons of such variety, and with the
reception he met with. He also created a sensation in the streets of
Wigan on resuming the drive to Southport, where he arrived in due
course. A telegram from the perpetrator of the freak reached Tyldesley
on Thursday, inviting his wife to join him at the popular sea side
resort.

The Windsor and Eton Express28th October 1837

Berks Michaelmas Sessions. The case of the disputed claim by the owner of Fayar's Mill against the Wilts and Berks Canal Company for compensation from the Company for the use of water abstracted from the stream of the mill for the benefit of the canal, and to the obstruction of the labours of the mill, was adjudicated before a Special Jury, summoned for the purpose of assessing the damages. After lengthened arguments of counsel, and the examination of many witnesses, which occupied the attention of the Court upwards of four hours, the Jury awarded to Mr Kinch, the owner of Fayar's Mill, a compensation of £13 for 52 days use of the water.

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The Motley Crew

Mike described as 'Jack Dee in deck shoes' and a grumpy old curmudgeon who hates to see our wildlife and countryside destroyed. Maggie - a strong willed and fiesty biker. Poppy and Abbey - two strong willed and even more fiesty Wire Haired Fox Terriers.